the voice of opera in Canada

About Us

About Us

Opera.ca is the national association for opera in Canada.

Offering membership to opera companies, businesses, teaching institutions and individuals, it seeks to create and sustain an environment that makes opera central to Canadian life. Opera.ca works with members across the country to advance the interests of Canada’s opera community and create greater opportunity for opera audiences and professionals alike.

Opera.ca provides services in advocacy, communications, and support for Canadian opera creation. Working in collaboration with OPERA America, Opera.ca leads members in dialogues relating to artistic quality and creativity, education and audience development, community service, governance, resource development, promising partnership opportunities, international trends in opera production and new technologies. Both Opera.ca and OPERA America regularly convene experts from within and outside the field, conduct research and collect and disseminate information to members and the field’s stakeholders.

One of the most significant programs of Opera.ca was the Canadian Opera Creation Fund, which supported the creation and development of opera and music theatre. The program was made possible through the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, and also received private support from our “Power of 100” donors. Other services include Annual Meetings, the biennial Banff Opera Colloquium, workshops for emerging singers, regional roundtables, and High Notes / Notes lyriques, Opera.ca’s monthly electronic newsletter.

Opera.ca is a registered national arts service organization governed by a nine-member Board of Directors. It counts all of Canada’s leading opera and music theatre companies among its professional company members, and serves a growing number of business, affiliate, and individual members.

Cheryl Hickman, founding member, and co-artistic director of Opera on the Avalon,, is Chair of Opera.ca. The office is located in Toronto.